Macau GP: Event race report

Mortara Triumphs in Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix
Edoardo Mortara took a hard-fought victory in the Macau Grand Prix on
Sunday after triumphing in a race-long duel with Signature team-mate Jean-
Karl Vernay.
The Italian had started from third on...

Mortara Triumphs in Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix

Edoardo Mortara took a hard-fought victory in the Macau Grand Prix on
Sunday after triumphing in a race-long duel with Signature team-mate Jean-
Karl Vernay.

The Italian had started from third on the grid, but a good start allowed
him to move past front-row starter Marcus Ericsson and pole position man
Vernay on the run down to Lisboa.

The race was stopped a few moments later, however, when the track was
blocked following a multiple-car collision caused when Daniel Ricciardo
crashed into the wall at the Solitude Esses and was clipped by a number of
other cars.

At the restart, Mortara got away cleanly but his advantage was not enough
to prevent Vernay getting into his slipstream and overtaking him into
Lisboa.

From there, the Signature pair were locked in a very tight battle for the
lead - although it seemed Vernay had done enough as Mortara could not get
close enough in the final corners of the lap to get a slipstream down the
main straight.

However, coming out of the Melco Hairpin on lap 11, Vernay made a mistake
- which allowed Mortara to close up on him and swoop past into the lead
into Lisboa on lap 12.

From there, Mortara was able to pull away and take the victory - which came
on the same day that fellow Italian Gabriele Tarquini became FIA World
Touring Car Champion.

"It feels fantastic," said the delighted Mortara. "So many things are going
through my head I don't know where to start. I feel so emotional. After
such a difficult season this year, it is unbelievable. I am proud of this
victory."

Briton Sam Bird finished third, having moved up the field from seventh on
the grid. He was fifth in the early stages of the race, but took fourth
from Ericsson on lap 12. He then moved up another place on the final lap
when third place runner Valtteri Bottas slowed with a wheel problem.
Ericsson finished fourth, with Bottas fifth.